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Gen Z Turns to 'Dumb Phones' Amid Social Media Concerns

3/11/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Gabriela Nguyen, a 24-year-old Harvard advocate for abstinence from social media, founded a Harvard group in 2024 to promote the 5D method.
Nguyen says Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok harmed her mental health and focus.
As Gen Z turns to 'dumb phones' to escape addiction, the market adapts with new options.
Some worry networking opportunities will diminish because these phones reconnect users with the real world and reduce screen time.

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Story summary

Gabriela Nguyen, a 24-year-old Harvard advocate for abstinence from social media, founded a Harvard group in 2024 to promote the 5D method.
Nguyen says Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok harmed her mental health and focus.
As Gen Z turns to 'dumb phones' to escape addiction, the market adapts with new options.
Some worry networking opportunities will diminish because these phones reconnect users with the real world and reduce screen time.